Port O’Connor Lions Club membership chairman Carol Haverfield (left) and Stan Eldridge, Texas Lions Club Eye Bank Trustee, present a Lions Pin and Certificate of Membership to Diane Cooley.
The Port O’Connor Lions Club was honored to have Stan Eldridge, Texas Lions Club Eye Bank Trustee, as Guest Speaker at their January 9th meeting. Mr. Eldridge spoke about the wonderful things being done by the International Lions Clubs who have helped so many people to see through funding such as cornea transplants, eye exams, and eyeglasses, etc.
Clubs raise money in various ways for donations to the Lions Eye Bank of Texas which is located in Houston. People who can’t afford sight restoration and problems with eye sight get help from the Lions Clubs and Lions International. One current project is the 2013 Lions District 2-S4 West Bowl-A-Thon sponsored by Victoria Boulevard Lions Club and Victoria Lions Club to be held on Saturday, February 9th at Century Lanes in Victoria with registration at noon. The Port O’Connor Lions Club has supported this fundraiser every year so far. Proceeds benefit the Lions Eye Bank of Texas at Baylor College of Medicine.
White Cane Day on Saturday, March 30th is another fundraiser whereby donations are accepted and a “White Cane” is given to the donors. White Cane Day gives Lions a chance to meet the public and collect much-needed funds for education, sight restoration and conservation projects. It offers a way for individuals to donate funds to this worthy cause to help someone else. Even small donations add up.
In addition, used eyeglasses donated to Lions Clubs are refurbished for those in need. Mr. Eldridge accepted around forty pairs of eyeglasses that had been generously donated by local citizens and deposited into the Port O’Connor Lions Club’s Eyeglass Donation Box located at Cathy’s Restaurant. If you have any used eyeglasses, we appreciate accepting them so that they can be forwarded for refurbishment and distributed to people who can use them. These eyeglasses are distributed not only within the United States, but around the world to wherever they are needed. So if you have any used eyeglasses lying around, please drop them in the Eyeglass Donation Box and we will get them forwarded on their way to those in need.
The Club also discussed the ongoing plans for the Arts & Crafts Festival being held on Saturday, March 16th at the Port O’Connor Community Center Pavilion. Reservations are being taken and we have vendors with really exciting items, but we still have some space available for vendors. Items for sale don’t have to be handmade, just good quality items – new or antique. The booths under the pavilion are $25.00 with one table and 2 chairs supplied and with two more tables available at $5.00 each. The booths are approximately 12’x12’ and some vendors have reserved two booths. Booths outside the pavilion are $20.00 with vendors bringing their own equipment. In addition, we are inviting food vendors to participate and we have some reservation spaces available. If you are planning on participating, please get your reservation in now by phoning the number shown below as reservations are “first come, first serve” regarding placement of booth location and requirements.
During the meeting Carol Haverfield, Membership Chairman, along with Stan Eldridge assisting, presented a Lions Pin and Certificate of Membership to our newest member, Diane Cooley who is sponsored by Grady Jean Clark. Welcome, Diane!
At the end of the January 9th meeting, Stan Eldridge was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation as Guest Speaker by Jim Butler.
For information on the Port O’Connor Lions Club, donation of eyeglasses, or the Arts & Crafts Festival, please phone Joyce Jordan, President, at cell #361-655-7999.
Submitted by: Joyce Jordan
